Howell officials haven't yet decided how to proceed with the controversial Howell Family Apartments housing project since a judge invalidated ordinances allowing its construction, but there are plans for a series of public meetings on the matter.

The project, being developed by the Barnegat-based Walters Group, has been on hold since resident John Bonevich filed a lawsuit against the town in November 2015. In January, Monmouth County Judge Jamie S. Perri ruled in favor of Bonevich, arguing that the language of the public notice advertising the public hearings for two key ordinances for the project weren't clear.

The $21 million complex is expected to have 72 apartment units at the intersection of Farms and Fort Plains roads off Route 9.

The council could re-advertise the ordinances and approve them again, allowing the project to move forward. But the council hasn't taken any action.

Mayor Theresa Berger said the council is planning to have at least two public meetings to talk about affordable housing in Howell, including the West Farms project, the amount of housing Howell needs to fulfill its obligation, the implications of not having enough and other projects developers are talking about.

"I'm taking my time to really understand the entire case," she said, adding that she hasn't decided how she would vote if the ordinances were revived.

Township Manager Jeff Mayfield said the council, town staff and attorneys met in executive session to discuss the lawsuit and a recent New Jersey Supreme Court decision that will affect the amount of affordable housing Howell and other towns are required to have.

The court last month ruled that all municipalities would be responsible for fulfilling affordable housing obligations during what's known as the "gap period" between 1999 and 2015 when the Council on Affordable Housing wasn't producing quotas for towns.